ACADEMIC STANDARDS & REQUIREMENTS
degrees
Associate
- A copy of high school transcript or equivalent.
- Students are required to complete a total of 60 credit hours. GNSBC may grant, through evaluation of transferred college credits (24 maximum), a standardized Biblical competency exam and/or life experience credits (15 maximum). Combined credits cannot exceed 60% of the degree program
(36 maximum). - Students must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.
- Students must complete no less than 24 credit hours at GNSBC.
- Students must complete the program within four years of the enrollment date.
Bachelor’s
- A copy of high school transcript or equivalent.
- Students are required to complete a total of 120 credit hours. GNSBC may grant, through evaluation of transferred college credits, 48 maximum credits, and/or life experience, 30 maximum credits. Combined credits cannot exceed 60% of the degree program (72 maximum).
- Students must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.
- Students must complete no less than 48 credit hours at GNSBC.
- Students must complete the program within four years of the enrollment date.
Master’s
- Students are required to complete a minimum of 51 credit hours. The Master of Theology requires the completion of a minimum of 81 credit hours. Transferred credits cannot exceed 40% of the degree program.
- Most Masters’ programs require a thesis. Each thesis must be approved prior to being submitted, must be related to the field of study, and should be 20,000 words in length.
- Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree program, or equivalent, in a complimentary field of study. Notwithstanding this policy, students may – at the discretion of the President and the Dean of Students – be granted a tailored program which would be uniquely created to reach the desired educational standard of a student that holds a bachelor degree in any field of study. In such cases, the student must complete some additional coursework which will be determined during the admissions process.
- Students must complete no less than 30 credit hours at GNSBC.
- Student must complete the program within five years of the enrollment date.
- Master of Theology applicants must have completed a Bachelor Degree program in Biblical Studies or Theology. Other Bachelor degrees would require prerequisite GNSBC courses taken at the undergraduate level to qualify.
Doctorate
- A Master’s Degree is required of all candidates and candidates may register any time.
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation that address the candidate’s capacity for doctoral study.
- Persons seeking a second doctorate are encouraged to examine the program carefully, as requirements may vary somewhat. No standardized test scores need to be submitted.
- Candidates must complete 50 credit hours in a doctoral degree program.
- Candidates must complete the program within six years of the enrollment date.
GRADING SCALE & CRITERIA
| SCORE | RANGE | LETTER | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0-59% | F | 0.00 |
| 60.0 | 60-64% | D- | 0.67 |
| 65.0 | 65-67% | D | 1.00 |
| 67.0 | 68-70% | D+ | 1.33 |
| 71.0 | 71-74% | C- | 1.67 |
| 75.0 | 75-78% | C | 2.00 |
| 79.0 | 79-82% | C+ | 2.33 |
| 83.0 | 83-86% | B- | 2.67 |
| 87.0 | 87-90% | B | 3.0 |
| 91.0 | 91-93% | B+ | 3.33 |
| 94.0 | 94-96% | A- | 3.67 |
| 97.0 | 97-100% | A | 4.0 |
GRADING SCALE & CRITERIA
| SCORE | RANGE | LETTER | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0-59% | F | 0.00 |
| 60.0 | 60-64% | D- | 0.67 |
| 65.0 | 65-67% | D | 1.00 |
| 67.0 | 68-70% | D+ | 1.33 |
| 71.0 | 71-74% | C- | 1.67 |
| 75.0 | 75-78% | C | 2.00 |
| 79.0 | 79-82% | C+ | 2.33 |
| 83.0 | 83-86% | B- | 2.67 |
| 87.0 | 87-90% | B | 3.0 |
| 91.0 | 91-93% | B+ | 3.33 |
| 94.0 | 94-96% | A- | 3.67 |
| 97.0 | 97-100% | A | 4.0 |
Scholastic Hours
To be eligible for graduation with honors, a student must have earned a minimum cumulative GNSBC grade average of 3.50 and must have completed the minimum number of credit hours required by GNSBC policy for a Theology Degree.
The specific honors levels are as follows:
3.50 to 3.74 GPA ……… Cum Laude
3.75 to 3.99 GPA ………..Magna Cum Laude
4.00 GPA ………………….Summa Cum Laude
PERMANENT ACADEMIC RECORD
All grades are recorded as a permanent part of the student’s academic history. Adjustments for incomplete courses may be corrected within two years; otherwise, they remain part of the student’s permanent academic record.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE
GNSBC expects all members of its community to live with wholesome Christian character and standards.
When any member of the Seminary/College community believes that another member is in violation of biblical standards or conduct, the steps of loving confrontation as outlined in Matthew 18:16-22 will be implemented. An unrepentant student may be expelled at the discretion of the President and/or School Board of Directors.
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Academic Standard
GNSBC is an institution of higher education and, as such, expects those enrolled with the Seminary and Bible College to perform at a four-year college level. Students who do not meet college-level academic standards in their coursework may be referred to their local community college for further general education.
All students are required to maintain a 2.0 or better grade point average. If the student fails to obtain a 2.0 in a grading period, they are placed on Academic Probation until the next grading period.
Upon the next grading period the student must have a 2.0 or better or be subject to receiving a letter of dismissal. Upon dismissal, the student must schedule an appointment with the Academic Dean to petition for reinstatement. The decision of the Academic Dean is final.
INACTIVE Standard
It is incumbent upon all students to be faithful in their coursework and financial obligations to the seminary/College. If a student fails to produce coursework and maintain his/her financial responsibilities for a period of one year, he/she is placed on inactive status.
All credits earned and monies paid at the point of inactivity are credited to the student’s account. Should the student desire to reactivate their status and continue his/her education at GNSBC, he/she must re-enroll with the university, paying the current application fee rate. If there is an outstanding tuition balance, payments will resume at the student’s original tuition rate beginning with an initial three-month payment.
A prerequisite for attendance and continued enrollment is stated in the Articles of Faith. If a student has accumulated 4 unexcused absences, whereby no notification was given to the school administrator, they will be placed on temporary probation. The probation is for a period 7 days during which time the student is responsible for scheduling a meeting with the dean of their respective campus to discuss this matter. Failure to communicate is grounds for automatic dismissal. The Dean’s decision shall be final.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE
GNSBC expects all members of its community to live with wholesome Christian character and standards.
When any member of the Seminary/College community believes that another member is in violation of biblical standards or conduct, the steps of loving confrontation as outlined in Matthew 18:16-22 will be implemented. An unrepentant student may be expelled at the discretion of the President and/or School Board of Directors.
Class/Course Enrollment & Structure
After the application process has been completed, the student may enroll in a class or course that corresponds to his/her degree program. Applications are available via email request or United States Postal Service.
Enrollment
Enrollment period is four weeks prior to start of the new semester. Students are responsible for obtaining the textbook for each course prior to class start date. When applicable, GNSC textbook compilations and audiotape commentary courses are mailed to students, along with an invoice for material/shipping costs. All invoices are prepaid before shipping to the student.
Structure
On-site Courses
On-site classes are two 17- 18 week per semester. Class meeting times are set between 6:00PM and 10:00PM. Class days are Monday or Thursdays or other days per campus. A student’s grade is usually determined upon attendance and performance on quizzes, midterms, writing assignments and final exams.
Off-site Courses
Off-site courses are sent directly to the address specified by the student upon request. Each course is sent in the form of a study guide, which includes:
-
- Course instructions
- Additional assignments
- Examination (TBD)
All courses must be proctored. The proctor must sign the “Proctor Form” which certifies that the student has completed the course him/herself. Coursework must be neatly typed and properly formatted in accordance with the general instructions of the study guide.
MISSIONARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
GNSBC will match any church’s sending contribution toward tuition for an active missionary on foreign soil up to 25% of the degree program.
REFERRAL PROCESS
GNSBC will credit $50.00 (per referral) toward the referring student’s account once the potential student completes a full semester and fulfil their financial obligation.
GRADUATION
Commencement ceremonies are determined based on the amount of students graduating each year. Graduations are held in the spring of each year.
Information & Preparation
At least two months in advance, GNSBC will notify, in writing, those students who have fulfilled or are near to fulfilling the requirements of their degree programs.
Students will also receive a memo detailing the date, time, and location of the commencement ceremony; a “Commencement Ceremony Questionnaire”. The questionnaire must be completed and returned to GNSBC at least six weeks prior to graduation.
Thesis and Doctoral students who did not complete their reports but were allowed to graduate with their class are required to re-enroll for school to be eligible to complete and get credit for their thesis and dissertation work. That fee for extending the privilege is $100.00 for thesis and $150.00 for dissertation completion. They have one semester to complete this assignment. If it is not completed by the end of the fall semester, they must petition GNB of directors with a letter asking for 1 semester extension with another $100.00 or $150.00 to be paid at the start of the semester.
If not completed in that course of time their degree and dissertation will not be valid with GNSBC.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program
This program is the capstone to all previous academic degrees. It represents the most prestigious accomplishment in a student’s educational endeavor. The Doctor of Philosophy is a 90 credit-hour program. These include 60 credit hours of coursework and a 30 credit-hours Doctoral Dissertation. The total cost of the Doctoral PHD program is $8000.00, with a down payment request of $800.00 or 10% of the total amount. The balance amount of $7200.00 is payable in 24 monthly installments of $300.00 per month.
Applicant must:
- Must have completed a doctoral degree at an accredited institution of learning.
- Provide a full leadership or ministry résumé
- Have 8 years of leadership or ministerial experience (leader, pastor, evangelist, chaplain, etc.)
Provide 3 letters of recommendation:
- Must have known applicant for greater than 5 years
- Must be on the recommender’s letterhead
- Letters must be from:
- 1 public/community figure
- 1 established minister (Pastor)
- 1 scientist/educator/other of “diverse” and/or “secular” background
- Letters must contain years known
Confirmation of details of résumé:
- Provide an official unopened University, Seminary or Bible College Transcript.
- Provide a recent photograph of him/herself.
- All required information must be submitted as a single package.
- All items must be typewritten.